Life Cycle Carbon Footprint Beyond Manufacturing

True sustainability in transportation only involves and benefits from a vision far beyond the usual simplification over a manufacturing-centric look. This thesis throws itself into the complex arena of Life Cycle Carbon Footprint head on by making full use of the Life Cycle Assessment model through rigorous application to the environmental effects of internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles within their entire life cycle. From raw material extraction to the complexity of the manufacturing process to operational energy consumption and end-of-life disposal or recycling, the paper closely investigates each stage with a desire to uncover the subtle realities behind such technologies. The cases draw from around the globe and within India, coupled with insights gained from my professional experience at Peec Mobility, unearthing the complex play of variables that influence lifecycle carbon footprints. The critical review that tackles the challenges in the production of energy- intensive batteries in the case of EVs is the carbon dependency of the dominated power grid for India, and infrastructure disparity in readiness at one go reveals unused potential for the adoption of renewable sources, advancement in circular economy practices, and transformative impact of policy frameworks on lifecycle emissions. It balances two aspects global benchmark and the Indian scenario presenting a holistic story that underlines the importance of contextual solutions to achieve sustainable transport, which would be the passport to a future transportation system.